Wednesday 5 March 2025
The Primary Court in Barka recently issued a judicial ruling against a commercial establishment and the guarantor agent, which included a conviction, a financial fine, and an obligation to replace the product. This was due to their violation of the Consumer Protection Law issued by Royal Decree No. (66/2014) and its executive regulations.
The case details indicate that the administration received a complaint from a consumer who had purchased six air conditioning units for OMR 1,299. After three months, defects appeared in one of the units. Despite multiple repairs by the establishment, the malfunction persisted, prompting the consumer to file a complaint against both the contracting institution and the guarantor agent.
The administration took the necessary measures, and since an amicable settlement was not reached, the complaint was referred to the Public Prosecution, which conducted an investigation and then forwarded the case to the competent court. The court ruled to convict the defendants for violating the Consumer Protection Law by failing to comply with repair and maintenance guarantees. It imposed a fine of OMR 100, obligated them to replace the air conditioning units with the same specifications and type, and ordered them to compensate the complainant with OMR 100 in addition to covering legal expenses.
The Consumer Protection Authority emphasizes the importance of businesses adhering to the applicable laws and avoiding any violations. It also affirms that it will not hesitate to take the necessary actions to safeguard consumer rights.